With three of Meath's next four Allianz FL Division 2 games against Ulster opposition, Mick O'Dowd's men will be hoping to reverse what is a terrible recent head-to-head record against teams from the northern province.

The Royals' record against Ulster teams over the last five years makes pretty grim reading. In 20 games in league and championship against sides from that province only four wins were recorded.

Although meeting all nine Ulster counties at least once since February, 2009, Meath do not hold a 100 per cent winning record against any of them. As well as the four wins, there were two draws and 14 defeats.

Two of the wins were recorded at the expense of Antrim and Fermanagh.

Those victories were gained in the last two rounds of the 2013 League Division 3 with Antrim, who finished with 13 players, outscored by 1-19 to 0-11 at Casement Park and Fermanagh defeated by 2-12 to 0-14 at Pairc Tailteann as an immediate return to the second tier was achieved.

However, both Ulster minnows also got the better of the Royals in the period under review. In 2009 Fermanagh claimed a minimum margin win at the Navan venue and Antrim had three points to spare at Casement Park in the spring of 2011.

Meath's other wins were scored at the expense of Armagh in 2010 and Monaghan in 2012, both at Pairc Tailteann. Defeats to Monaghan (three), Donegal and Tyrone (two each) make up over half of the losses.

Armagh, whom Meath will host at Pairc Tailteann, next Saturday night, were winners over the Royals at Crossmaglen in 2009.

Donegal, whom Meath will travel to meet on March 9, beat the Leinster wearers of the green and gold by five points in Ballybofey in 2010 and had six to spare in Navan in 2011.

When Down travel to Navan on March 29 Meath will be hoping to reverse the 2010 result at Newry when the Mourne county won with four points to spare.

Meath's county-by-county record against Ulster teams since 2009:

Tyrone - won 0, drawn 1, lost 2

Donegal - won 0, drawn 0, lost 2

Derry - won 0, drawn 0, lost 2

Down - won 0, drawn 0, lost 1

Antrim - won 1, drawn 0, lost 1

Fermanagh - won 1, drawn 0, lost 1

Monaghan - won 1, drawn 1, lost 3

Cavan - won 0, drawn 0, lost 1

Armagh - won 1, drawn 0, lost 1

All of the 20 clashes were in the league except last year's All-Ireland Qualifiers defeat to Tyrone at Croke Park. Tweet

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